Two days later, at the first light of dawn.
Outside the residence of the Breaking Clan in the south of the city, a group of murderous men dressed in the enforcement robes of Martial Soul Hall had already assembled. There were not many of them—about fifty or so—but these individuals were all elites from the Breaking Clan and the Defense Clan.
Yang Wudi, Yang Wutian, and Niu Gao were all among them. Ya Li had also finished arranging the follow-up work for Martial Soul Hall and had been brought to this location by Yun Ming.
It must be said that Ya Li was indeed the type of person elders tended to like. Of course, it might also be because Ya Li, a Saintess of Martial Soul Hall, stood on the same side as them and was going to deal with her former subordinate. Yang Wudi could not say he was entirely satisfied with Ya Li as his quasi-granddaughter-in-law, but he did not dislike her either.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Yang Wutian gave the order.
"Move out!"
"First stop, Münster City."
Upon receiving the order, the group mounted their warhorses and galloped toward their destination.
Ya Li and Yun Ming also rode horses, following behind the troop, though the two of them were dressed in casual attire.
Looking at the figures ahead, each radiating a monstrous aura, Ya Li asked Yun Ming.
"Do we really have to kill our way through them one by one? With such a commotion, won't we alert the enemy? I fear there will be more variables by then."
Yun Ming shook his head, recalling how Yang Wudi, Yang Wutian, and Niu Gao had discussed the plan two days ago, and said calmly.
"Perhaps Grandfather and the others want to alert the enemy. They likely feel that a simple death is too merciful for them."
"Those people have lived in comfort for so many years. Letting them sense death approaching, watching them struggle in vain, and then dying—perhaps that is the goal of Grandfather and the others."
Perhaps it was because these people had personally stained their hands with the blood of the Breaking Clan, or perhaps because the Clear Sky Sect had been wiped out too quickly, leaving them without enough catharsis and causing them to transfer their emotions onto these individuals; the moods of Yang Wudi and Yang Wutian had felt more violent over the past two days than before.
Ya Li could understand, but she could not quite accept it.
Although she did not know how many Evil Soul Masters she had killed because of Yun Ming before she died in her previous life, she felt that this cat-and-mouse style of killing was quite malicious. Furthermore, if the situation escalated, it might cause chaos and harm innocent bystanders.
Seeing that Ya Li's Angel heart was showing signs of flaring up, Yun Ming spoke up.
"Don't worry. Although I cannot persuade Grandfather to give up, I have already set a bottom line with them. This game of cat and mouse will not affect innocent people, including their families."
"I will be watching the entire time."
The fact that the members of the two clans were wearing Martial Soul Hall robes was also intended to minimize unrest and make it easier to define the matter as an internal 'pest control operation' of Martial Soul Hall.
Seeing that Yun Ming had said this, Ya Li could only nod, hoping that no accidents would occur.
Two hours later, Yun Ming's group arrived in a grand procession at the end of the main road where the Martial Soul Branch Hall of Münster City was located.
The two guards at the gate saw a group of murderous, iron-blooded men approaching from afar. One of them hurried into the hall to report to the Hall Master.
At this moment, on the top floor of the Martial Soul Branch Hall, in the Hall Master's office.
A slightly chubby middle-aged man dressed in clerical robes was sitting in the main seat, carefully admiring a Deep Sea Luminous Pearl he had acquired just yesterday. As he admired it, the man clicked his tongue in wonder.
"A fine treasure! Truly a fine treasure!"
"Wendell is indeed a friend; he's a man you can count on."
This man was Clifford, the Hall Master of the Münster City Martial Soul Branch Hall.
Back then, he had performed great meritorious service in the 'Former Emperor Defense War' launched by the Pope, killing several experts from the four clans, including Yang Wutian's own younger sister. Due to his great military achievements, he was quickly promoted to Deputy Hall Master of the Münster City Martial Soul Hall after the war.
Six years ago, after he toppled the previous Hall Master, he successfully succeeded to the position and officially became a local powerhouse.
He did not have many bad habits in his daily life; he simply liked to be a collector of treasures and wealth. However, members of Martial Soul Hall were essentially clergy, and while they held high status on the continent, their income could only be described as average. It was certainly unrealistic to rely on a salary to be a collector, so he came up with an idea using his status as Hall Master.
He used the excuse of Fallen Soul Masters to raid and exterminate a wealthy merchant family in the city, then claimed that Martial Soul Hall's funds were insufficient and that killing thieves was hard work, hinting that the forces in the city he could manipulate should pay up—essentially, protection money.
Seeing how ruthless Clifford was and considering his immense power, those smaller forces had no choice but to endure and pay tribute.
The only good thing about Clifford was that he followed the rules and didn't act recklessly. Those who paid tribute would not be charged extra fees, and as long as they didn't speak out of turn or resist, he wouldn't kill them. He had connections above, and after intercepting news a few times and making examples of a few, things quieted down.
Although some family businesses had been paid away and properties had changed hands over these six years, as long as they didn't act out, they could at least stay alive.
As for the other forces in the city that didn't fear Clifford, seeing that the man was sensible and didn't make things difficult for them, they turned a blind eye and didn't interfere. After all, they weren't the ones being exploited, and if someone more pedantic were to replace him, some of their own affairs might become difficult to manage.
However, halfway through his appreciation, Clifford suddenly heard the sound of hooves and the neighing of horses outside. Before he could check the situation, a series of urgent knocks came at the door.
Clifford frowned and said.
"Enter!"
The guard entered and bowed to report.
"Hall Master, a team of Holy Tribunal Knights has arrived outside our hall gate, and they will be at the entrance very soon."
Hearing the words 'Holy Tribunal', his heart skipped a beat. Could he have been exposed? But thinking that he hadn't received any news from his superiors, that there had been no movement in the city these days, and that the Holy Tribunal Knights were elites from Martial Soul City, they shouldn't be here for him.
Clifford quickly calmed his mind, hurriedly put away the Deep Sea Luminous Pearl, tidied his attire, and ordered the guards to quickly assemble the personnel in the hall to welcome them.
The guard received the order and went to pass on the message.
By the time Yun Ming's group arrived at the hall entrance, Clifford had already led the personnel of the hall downstairs to welcome them.
Seeing Yun Ming and Ya Li in their casual clothes, Clifford knew who had arrived. He stepped forward and bowed in salute.
"Subordinate Clifford, Hall Master of the Münster City Martial Soul Branch Hall, pays respects to the Saintess!"
Ya Li had been to this city before and had met Clifford once. It was just a passing visit, so she hadn't stayed long enough to give the people in this city a chance to report to her. She hadn't expected that this seemingly kind-hearted Hall Master would be such a ruthless person; truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover!
The others, seeing that the visitor was the Saintess, also hurriedly bowed in salute.
Ya Li gave a soft hum of acknowledgment, and then Yun Ming spoke up.
"Are you Clifford?"
Although Clifford did not know who the newcomer was, seeing that Yun Ming could walk alongside Ya Li, he assumed the man was a young master from some big shot's family in Martial Soul City and replied respectfully.
"In reply to Young Master, I am indeed Clifford."
Having received confirmation, Yang Wutian could wait no longer. He slapped his horse's back, his Soul Power surged violently throughout his body, and the Soul Breaking Spear appeared in his right hand as he thrust it toward Clifford.
Yang Wutian's sudden outburst caught everyone off guard, and Clifford was somewhat dazed as well. However, when he saw the familiar martial soul in Yang Wutian's hand, he cried out in alarm.
"Soul Breaking Spear!"
But Yang Wutian had come too suddenly, and his strike was too fast. Clifford could only dodge to the side, yet the Soul Breaking Spear still pierced into his shoulder—
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader